Off Road Podcast 305 – Solar Power

This episode of the Off Road Podcast is Sponsored by WARN, Power Tank and Medical Gear Outfitters.

TONIGHT, AARON WAVES AT OTHER JEEPERS, JEREMY GETS SHUT OUT, & BEN ORDERS MORE STUFF

Welcome to the off-road podcast. A podcast about everything off-road. We cover the news, review products, and interview people in the off road industry.  I’m your host Ben and I’m here with my co-hosts Aaron & Jeremy. 

THE WEEK IN REVIEW IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY MEDICAL GEAR OUTFITTERS

What are you waiting for? Are you waiting to have a casualty on the trail? Check out Medical Gear Outfitters dot com to get straightened out.  Medical Gear Outfitters has everything you need whether you are going out for the day or traveling on a year long expedition.  Head over there to get offroad specific kits that meet all your needs.  While you’re there use the code “Offroadpodcast” for 10% off.

Jeremy – Inflated my tires.  Tried to set it on its own tires.  Took off my old bumper lights.  Installed some spots and a flood bar I had laying around

Aaron – Starting to look at Jeep rentals. 🙁  Got to finally shoot on my lower range.  The ground is finally dried up and I can drive down there without getting stuck.

Ben – Had sick wife and kids didn’t do anything minus buying some gear for the trailer

Hey guys, we are looking to reach more listeners.  We are going to start reading Apple iTunes reviews on air.  If you hear yours, send us a message with your address and we’ll send you an Off Road Podcast sticker.  You can find all of our social media by just searching our name.  Now go hit that subscribe button! 

PATRIOTPATCH.CO

We also want to thank our sponsor Patriot Patch. Head over to Patriotpatch.co and check out their selection of great patches, shirts, cleaning mats, signs , and stickers.  You can also join the patch of the month club for 15 bucks and receive a patch, matching sticker, and artist proof each month.

NEWS BROUGHT TO YOU BY POWER TANK

• 1979 Ford “Expedition Raptor”
  • Sweet Brothers Restomods
  • 1979 Bronco on 2011 Raptor chassis
  • Roush Supercharged 6.2L
  • 540 Horsepower
• Hennessey Mammoth
  • Only 20 made
  • Ram 1500 TRX truck Chassis turned into 3 row SUV
  • $375k!
  • 1,012HP & 969 TQ
  • 3.2 0-60 & 11.4 in the ¼ mile
  • 2.5” lift & 35 tires (on 20” wheels)

GIVEAWAY:

We have an exciting announcement to make.  In celebration of our 300th episode, we are doing a massive giveaway. In this one giveaway we will be giving away:

• WARN VR EVO 10S Winch
• 10# package A Powertank
• Medicals a good Gear Outfitters 1st aid kit (Overlander)
• WARN Bluetooth Hub 
• $250 Tread lightly subscription

MAIN TOPICPOWERED BYWARN  

Why might you need solar? 

• In my experience most the time you probably don’t but it can come in handy when staying in one place for a while and still needing power

Piece it together or buy pre-made setups.

• Diy is cheaper and more customisable
• Pre built costs more but slaps together

12 volt and 120 comparison

• 120 is typically house stuff with 12 volt being more automotive and rv based

Solar generators

• Built in battery with power outlets for 120,12volt connections, and usb

Different battery types and pros and cons

Flooded / sealed

• PROS: 
  • Lead acid batteries are the cheapest energy storage option, making them the most cost effective. They are also reliable. Plus, because the technology has been around for years, they can be easily disposed of and recycled. 
• CONS: 
  • Flooded lead acid batteries require ventilation and regular maintenance to operate correctly, which increases the chances of the battery leaking. 
  • This also limits how flooded lead acid batteries can be installed, because they can’t be placed on their side. They also have a low depth of discharge (DoD), so they need to be charged more often. 
  • Having a low depth of discharge also means they have a shorter lifespan – between 5 and 10 years.

Lithium

• PROS: 
  • Lithium ion batteries require almost no regular maintenance. 
  • They also have a higher battery energy density, meaning they can hold more energy in a smaller space than a lead acid battery. 
  • Lithium ion batteries have a longer life cycle, or lifespan, as well – most have a guaranteed warranty of at least 10 years. This longer lifespan has to do with lithium ion batteries having a higher depth of discharge, so you can use more of the energy stored within the battery before it has to be recharged. 
• CONS: 
  • One of the biggest disadvantages of lithium ion batteries is that they are more expensive than other energy storage technologies. 
  • Also, because of their chemistry, lithium ion storage systems have a higher chance of catching fire due to something called thermal runaway. However, if installed properly, the chance of your battery catching fire is close to zero. 

How many Amp hours are needed.

• Depends on what you plan on using for how long and how much power you can send back into it 
• Amp hours 
• Watt hoursCLOSING STATEMENTSThanks everyone who listens to us weekly and also to those who watch us live on YouTube.  We really appreciate you.  Please share us with your friends and help us grow.  God bless America!
  Don’t Forget to visit Patriot Patch and join the patch of the month club. Check out our Gaia affiliate link for up to 40% off. Also, don’t forget to head over to Warn and Powertank to see all their great gear. We are a proud part of the firearms radio network. Got a question or comment? Send it to us through our webpage at firearmsradio.tv or through our social media channels by searching for Off Road Podcast. Also, you can listen to us live at overlandradio.com Mondays at 7pm Pacific. When offroad please remember to have fun, tread lightly, be safe and courteous. Thanks for listening.